Vostan

Vostan is a traditional Armenian restaurant at 8 Abovyan Street in the Kentron district of Yerevan, Armenia. The cuisine is traditional Armenian, and the restaurant is notable for two visible features: a wine wall, which displays a selection of bottles and signals the importance of Armenian wine to the menu, and a bakery that can be seen behind glass, where bread is made in view of diners. Armenia has one of the oldest winemaking traditions in the world, and a wine wall gives visitors a quick way to explore local grape varieties such as Areni, so it is worth asking the staff for recommendations. The menu features a barbecue assortment, a mixed plate of grilled meats for sharing; grilled sterlet, a sturgeon-family fish that points to the more unusual end of the menu; Bulgarian pilaf with kufta, a rice dish served with meatballs; and rolled eggplants, a cold starter in which fried eggplant is wrapped around a filling. The mix of meat, fish and vegetable dishes gives a table a range of options, and the bakery behind glass means bread arrives fresh. The dining room is warm and traditional in feel, with a mood that suits families, groups and visitors who want a full Armenian meal in a central location. Dress is casual to smart-casual. Hours, phone number and price band are not listed here, so visitors should check locally before planning a visit around a specific time. Because the restaurant is on Abovyan Street, close to Republic Square, it is convenient for walking tours, and groups would be wise to arrange a table in advance, especially for weekend evenings. Pairing the barbecue assortment with a bottle from the wine wall is a natural way to structure the meal.